Eastern Cape flood disaster: Day of mourning declared for 80 identified victims
By Monday, the death toll has risen to 90.
Image: OR Tambo District Municipality
The Eastern Cape provincial government has confirmed the identification of 80 individuals who lost their lives in the devastating floods that have severely impacted the province.
The adverse weather has impacted households in the wake of recent floods, resulting in multiple fatalities, the displacement of families, significant infrastructure damage, and disruption of livelihoods across the province, particularly in the O.R. Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities.
The death toll is at 90.
The provincial government said that out of the 90 fatalities, 60 are adults and 30 are children.
It has been reported that of those who died, 48 are men and 42 are women.
A school minibus carrying 13 learners was recovered after being swept away by raging floodwaters in Dikolini, Eastern Cape, where ongoing rescue operations are searching for at least 10 people still missing following the collapse of a bridge.
Image: File
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The Department of Health has also completed post-mortems with 80 bodies being positively identified and 77 bodies released to families.
'The Provincial Government remains in close contact with affected families to provide necessities and psychosocial support, with the Council of Churches also having joined in providing spiritual healing to the grieving families,' provincial government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said.
The provision of emergency relief to thousands of displaced residents in the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities remains in progress.
'About 2,686 residents were left homeless and are currently accommodated in various shelters and provided with three meals a day and all the necessities. Progress has been made in the restoration of basic services in the affected areas,' Rantjie said.
The flooding in the Eastern Cape has led to a tragic loss of lives.
Image: Gift of the Givers
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Over 400 schools and 1,400 classrooms damaged in EC floods
The death toll following the devastating floods in Eastern Cape currently stands at 92 and is expected to keeping rising and search and rescue efforts continue. Image: OR Tambo District Municipality MORE than 400 schools and 1400 classrooms have been damaged in the recent floods which devastated large parts of the Eastern Cape. The floods have claimed the lives of 92 people, affecting more than 4 300 people, according to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. He said 48341 learners were also affected following the damage in 413 schools. In his keynote address during the provincial day of mourning in Mthatha on Thursday, Mabuyane said significant progress had been made in the restoration of critical infrastructure, particularly water supply systems. Full restoration is anticipated across all affected areas on Friday. Authorities had been criticised by community members for its slow disaster response. Mabuyane said the latest events were a lesson that 'it is no longer enough to react to disasters'. 'There are many lessons we must all learn from this kind of tragedy. However, today I want to highlight the reality of climate change. Therefore, it is no longer enough to react to disasters. We must prepare for them and prevent them where possible,' Mabuyane said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He cautioned that the funds dedicated to repair the damage should not be seen as a 'get rich quick scheme'. 'Our collective immediate task is to work with families to ensure that the souls we lost in this tragedy are buried with dignity. After that we work together to start the rebuilding process in the affected communities. This tragedy should not and will not be used as a get rich quick scheme. Any funds dedicated to it will be used prudently to help our people rebuild their lives.' Gift of the Givers said things were much 'calmer' following alleged extortion attempts on their teams distributing water in Mthatha. They called on the community to help find the vehicle allegedly involved in the incident. 'We need that person arrested. This is a message to all the water mafia: that we will take you on wherever you are because Gift of the Givers is not afraid of anyone. We have the support of the government, the SAPS, the SANDF, and above all we have the support of the communities and the municipalities when it comes to assisting people in dire need, as is the case now in Mthatha and the Eastern Cape. This kind of heinous behaviour has to stop. Profiteering off the hardship of people has to stop,' the humanitarian organisation said. CAPE TIMES
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Eastern Cape flood disaster: Day of mourning declared for 80 identified victims
By Monday, the death toll has risen to 90. Image: OR Tambo District Municipality The Eastern Cape provincial government has confirmed the identification of 80 individuals who lost their lives in the devastating floods that have severely impacted the province. The adverse weather has impacted households in the wake of recent floods, resulting in multiple fatalities, the displacement of families, significant infrastructure damage, and disruption of livelihoods across the province, particularly in the O.R. Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities. The death toll is at 90. The provincial government said that out of the 90 fatalities, 60 are adults and 30 are children. It has been reported that of those who died, 48 are men and 42 are women. A school minibus carrying 13 learners was recovered after being swept away by raging floodwaters in Dikolini, Eastern Cape, where ongoing rescue operations are searching for at least 10 people still missing following the collapse of a bridge. Image: File Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Department of Health has also completed post-mortems with 80 bodies being positively identified and 77 bodies released to families. 'The Provincial Government remains in close contact with affected families to provide necessities and psychosocial support, with the Council of Churches also having joined in providing spiritual healing to the grieving families,' provincial government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said. The provision of emergency relief to thousands of displaced residents in the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities remains in progress. 'About 2,686 residents were left homeless and are currently accommodated in various shelters and provided with three meals a day and all the necessities. Progress has been made in the restoration of basic services in the affected areas,' Rantjie said. The flooding in the Eastern Cape has led to a tragic loss of lives. Image: Gift of the Givers
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Eskom says power restoration nearly complete after severe storms in KZN
Eskom in KZN said power has been restored to most areas after outages caused by severe weather conditions. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Eskom has made significant progress in restoring electricity supply across KwaZulu-Natal after severe weather left more than 190,000 customers without power last week. By Monday, June 16, only five networks remained affected, with restoration work expected to be completed by Tuesday. In a statement, Eskom said the province had faced widespread storm damage, heavy winds, and snowfall which 'left more than 190,000 customers without power when 163 networks were affected across the province.' 'The storm's impact has been devastating, with infrastructure severely damaged in multiple areas,' said Eskom. 'Despite these extreme conditions, Eskom's technical teams have been working tirelessly and with exceptional urgency to restore electricity supply under extremely hazardous and physically demanding circumstances.' The utility said major work had been completed in Newcastle and Empangeni, allowing teams to be redeployed to Kokstad and Margate, two of the hardest-hit areas. 'Restoration is progressing as planned, with significant inroads made in Harding and Kokstad areas. Only five networks affecting 2,500 customers are outstanding. Most of the damaged infrastructure has been repaired, with a few poles remaining,' Eskom stated. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The utility apologised for the inconvenience caused to affected customers and acknowledged its personnel's efforts: 'Eskom wishes to reassure the public that every available resource has been mobilised, and our field teams are working long hours to restore power.' Eskom also urged the public to exercise extreme caution around damaged infrastructure and to report any exposed electrical components immediately via official reporting channels. The utility also commended the resilience of its staff: 'Eskom commends the dedication shown by the field teams and the support given by their families as they worked around the clock over the long weekend.' Customers still experiencing outages are encouraged to report faults using Eskom's self-service platforms. Last week, KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, confirmed that Ugu District was the hardest hit by the storm. 'Strong winds and hailstorms damaged 47 households, affecting 277 people,' he said. THE MERCURY
